The completion of the new bridge linking Windsor, Ont., and Detroit may be pushed back to 2026 due to delays in finishing the border ports of entry, as per a report by S&P Global. The Gordie Howe International Bridge was reported to be 35 days ahead of schedule in April. However, the contractor had failed to meet two deadlines to transfer the Canadian port of entry to the Canada Border Services Agency by April.
The report highlighted that the construction contractor and its subcontractor encountered challenges due to a shortage of skilled labor, partly attributed to a significant construction project in the same area. The Canada Border Services Agency requires possession of the building nine months before the bridge’s opening to complete its portion of the work.
Regarding the U.S. border entry, the contractor also missed two deadlines, delaying the handover process. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection needs control of the facility six months in advance to carry out their tasks related to the bridge.
The development of the bridge, agreed upon in 2012 between Canada and Michigan, has faced obstacles over the years. Despite initial hurdles, including legal battles and requests to halt the project, construction progressed until the pandemic, causing a potential one-year delay in the bridge’s opening. The project’s cost was revised to $6.4 billion, $1.5 billion higher than the initial estimate in 2018.
The Canadian government is financing the entire bridge project and will manage toll collection until the costs are covered, after which toll revenues will be split with the United States. While significant progress has been made, the bridge authority refrains from providing a specific opening date, stating that approximately two percent of construction work remains outstanding. Their focus remains on ensuring worker safety, infrastructure quality, and the finalization of necessary systems for the bridge’s operation.